Show ContentsBreedine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The prominent surname Breedine claims its ancestry as an ancient Celtic name derived from "brez" (meaning hill) and the Old English word "dun" which combined roughly translates as "hill called Bre" 1

Early Origins of the Breedine family

The surname Breedine was first found in Worcestershire at Bredon, a parish in the union of Tewkesbury, part of the hundred of Oswaldslow. It is generally understood that Bredon was given by Ethelbald, King of Mercia, before the year 716, to his kinsman, Eanulph, who founded a monastery there in honor of St. Peter. The first listed spelling of the place name was found in 772 when it was listed as Breodun. 1 The Domesday Book lists it as part of the Church of St. Mary and had two entries: Bredon (Breodun) and Bredon's Norton. The former comprised land enough for twenty-three ploughs. Bredon's Norton was considerably smaller with room enough for one plough, about 6 acres. 2 While the Domesday Book does not list the number of acres for Bredon, a latter reference lists the parish as comprising by computation between 5000 and 6000 acres, of which 963 are in the hamlet of Bredon. Breedon on the Hill is a village and civil parish in North West Leicestershire.

Early History of the Breedine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breedine research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1207, 1272, 1273, 1300, 1372, 1379, 1638 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Breedine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breedine Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Breedine were recorded, including Bredon, Breedon, Breedin, Bredin and others.

Early Notables of the Breedine family

Distinguished members of the family include Reverend John Symonds who on inheriting the estate of the Bredon senior line changed his name to Bredon, thereby continuing the line. Simon Bredon (c.1300-1372) was a mathematician, physicist, astronomer, arithmetician, geometrician, and medic. He was a member of...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Breedine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Breedine family to Ireland

Some of the Breedine family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Breedine family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Breedine family emigrate to North America: Elizabeth Breedon who settled in Rappahannock Virginia in 1725; Beatrice Breedon settled in New England in 1679; James Breden settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1772.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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